Phillip Davis appointed interim president of Minneapolis Community and Technical College

Phillip L. Davis, vice president of administration and planning at Minneapolis Community and Technical College, today was appointed interim president of the college by Chancellor Judith Eaton of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU).

He will begin his new duties on February 24 and serve for up to one year. Davis replaces Diann Schindler, who is leaving the college to become president of Oakland Community College/Auburn Hills Campus, in Auburn Hills, Mich.

"I look forward to working with a very talented group of faculty and staff at the college to meet the needs of our students and the entire community," Davis said.

Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC) was established one year ago with the consolidation of Minneapolis Community College and Minneapolis Technical College. Under a proposal now under discussion, the college could combine with Metropolitan State University to create an open admission, career-oriented university for the Twin Cities area.

"Phil Davis will provide excellent leadership during an important time in the college's development," Eaton said. "He will bring the stability and vision necessary to move the college forward and to inspire a continued commitment to student success."

Davis has been involved with MnSCU institutions for the past 25 years as a student, faculty member and administrator.

As vice president of MCTC since 1996, his primary responsibility has been to develop and implement a strategic plan for the newly consolidated college. He also supervises the college's fund-raising, public and government relations and continuing education functions.

He became associate dean of instruction at Minneapolis Community College in 1994, managing one of the college's two instructional divisions and its library services. He also worked with school district and business leaders on youth apprenticeships and other School-to-Work initiatives.

In 1985, Davis was appointed director of the Law Enforcement Training Center (LETC) at Normandale Community College. He is credited with transforming the curriculum from a military model to one that incorporated the principles of community-oriented policing. He previously served as coordinator of continuing education for the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), the nation's first police licensing board.

Davis started his career as a police officer in White Bear Lake and went on to teach criminal justice studies at St. Cloud State University.

A graduate of St. Cloud State with a bachelor's degree in sociology, he also holds a master's degree in education from the University of St. Thomas.

MCTC serves nearly 6,000 students at its campus in downtown Minneapolis.